The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
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Youngstown State
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Zips Use Balanced Attack to Defeat Youngstown State, 3-1
September 18 | Women's Volleyball
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -The Akron volleyball team fought back after dropping set one to secure a 3-1 win (23-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-18) against the Youngstown State Penguins Thursday on the road at Beeghly Center.
The non-conference victory boosted the Zips' overall record to 6-4 on the season.
The Zips' offense was paced by Delaney Gash, who finished with 19 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .293. Gabby Brissett tied her career-high in kills with 15 and hit .462 while Maureen Mathews chipped in with 14 as part of a balanced Akron attack. Akron got 17 digs from Vanessa Del Real, who also added 10 assists to record her first double-double of the season. Lyndi Wolf supplied a team-high four blocks to go with her nine kills. Martina Villani paced the Zips with a career-high 48 assists while adding eight digs and two aces.
Game Notes
» Akron had three players in double figures in kills.
» Reilly Chausse, Del Real and Villani had a match-high two aces in the win.
» Akron put together a strong attacking performance, notching 67 kills in the match.
» Delaney Gash had a match-high 19 kills for Akron.
» Akron got a match-high 17 digs from Del Real.
» Akron attackers were helped by a match-high 48 assists from Villani.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Zips found themselves in an early hole, dropping a hard-fought first set 25-23. Youngstown State grabbed the advantage for good at 24-23 in a set that was tied up seven times before the Penguins took over in the second half of the stanza.
SET 2 | Akron rallied after dropping the first set to take set two 25-15, tying the match at one set apiece. The Zips took control of the set lead early on at 4-3 and never looked back. Akron led by as many as 12 points at 16-4 before closing out the set, collecting 18 kills in the process. The Akron offense also got a boost from four aces in the set.
SET 3 | Akron grabbed another win in the third set to take a 2-1 match lead. The Zips won the set 25-18 helped by a strong performance on the attacking side. Akron registered a .313 attack percentage with 14 kills in the set win. The Zips rallied from down five at 9-4 to claim the win. Akron's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Youngstown State attacks in the stanza.
SET 4 | Akron claimed a match win with a 25-18 fourth-set victory, winning their third set in a row. The Zips took control of the set at 4-3 and never looked back. Akron led by as many as 10 points at 22-12 before closing out the stanza, totaling 20 kills along the way.
What's Next?
Akron returns to James A. Rhodes Arena on Friday, September 19, to conclude non-conference action against Cleveland State.
